Method and apparatus for crimping box straps



Jan. 27, 1942. c. SCHMUTZER ETAL 2,270,971

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CRIMPING BOX STRAPS Filed June 9, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheetl 1NVENTOR$ 66mins Wurlitzer and Kurl'flanradfi,

Jan. 27, 1942.

C. SCHMUTZER EI'AL METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CRIMPING BOX STRAPS Filed June 9, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 W WW Patented Jan. 27, 1942 'METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CRIMPING BOX STRAPS Charles Schmutzer, Irvington, and Kurt Manrodt, Newark, N. J assignors to Hoffman Beverage Company, Newark, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application June 9, 1939, Serial No. 278,314 11 Claims. roiled-93) This invention relates to a method of treating the metallic strap on a wooden shipping case, or the like, so that it remains tight and secure at all times, and to apparatus for performing that method, although the apparatus is not limited to that use. I

Shipping cases for bottles and the like are usually made of relatively soft wood, such as poplar or the like, which is subject to substantial expansion and contraction as its'moisture content varies, so much so that the flat metal'straps, which are used to bind the ends of the case, loosen to a degree which causes arches or loops between the nails, which catch upon the bottle case conveyor, floor, or the like, over which the case moves, or on adjoining cases, and the like, so that the nails are loosened or pulled out. This condition occurs almost immediately after the new cases are put in service, for the wood that is commonly used to make such cases is usually wellseasoned and dried in accordance with good practice, so that the wood is subject to expansion when submitted to moisture, resulting in loosening the straps, no matter how tightly they are bound on the case during the fabricating process.

In accordance with this invention, the metal straps of a bottle case or the like are crimped at spaced intervals, preferably between the nails which secure the straps to the wood, so as to not only take up any existing slack in the straps, but

to provide flexible expansion and contraction grooves which permit their expansion and take up the subsequent contraction, with the result that the straps remain substantially uniformly tight, do not project above of the case so as to catch when moved, and do not loosen the fastening nails so that they will pull out during ordinary handling of the case. Accordingly, the crimps provide ample leeway for normal expansion and contraction of the wood during ordinary usage of the case.

The apparatus for crimping the straps of the case according to the aforementioned method includes two dies, one of which may be substantially stationary and the other reciprocating, so

that the end of a case may be placed between the dies and the reciprocating die forces the corresponding side of the case against the stationary die for crimping of the strap while simultaneously crimping the corresponding opposite side of the strap in its compressive. movement. The dies are formed with ridges spaced apart substantially the distance between thenails holding the straps to the wood, but displaced half that distance, so that the ridges engage the adjacent surface A the straps approximately between the nails. The ridges are of substantial height so that they not only crimp the strap but also depress the wood beneath the strap at the crimp; In this way tightly by reason of the shortening of their effective lengths, and the crimps draw out of the corresponding depressions as the box expands, due to absorption of moisture. and the like, and conversely, the crimps extend further into the corresponding depressions in the wood as the case contracts due to subsequent drying out of the wood. The apparatus is so constructed as to permit rapid treatment of a plurality of cases at the same time whereby the cases may be improved for service when new and may be rendered effective for a longertime when old.

For a more complete understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings, in which: r

Figure l is an elevation of a preferred form of the apparatus of this invention, and illustrates the two dies in position for coop'erativerelation with the ends of a bottle case fitted with straps;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary section through the apparatus, as seen along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, and illustrates the preferred arrangement in which two cases may be treated simultaneously;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the bottlecase supporting platforms, guides, and the lower die, as seen along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 illustrates an elevation of a portion of the lower die and the dividing wall or stop between opposite sides of the apparatus for treating two cases simultaneously;

Figs. 5 and 6 are vertical sections therethrough as seen along the line 5-5 and 6-45, respectively, of Fig. 4i

Fig. '7 is a side elevation of a case treated according to the method and in the preferred apparatus of this invention; and

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary end View of a case show ing the crimps in the strap thereof.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, numeral It generally designates a suitable frame preferably formed of steel angles l l arranged vertically andsuitably'connected in spaced relation-by bolts l2. Extending across the frame Ill is abeam l3 formed of channel irons'or the like,

and supporting a plate M to which is secured by bolts Id the lower die l5.

As shown particularly in Figs. 4, 5 and 6, this lower die It includes a plate Hi to which is riveted two parallel series of spacers I1 clamping betweenthem the die members I8, which are preferably short bars of square section, so positioned the straps are drawn more as shown in Fig. 3.

adapted to be supported in the apparatus.

' 20 is commonly steel, tinned, blued, or otherwise protected against corrosion, and essentially resilient or springy laterally but inextensible longitudinally. In the fabrication of the case 2|, the

' straps 23 are as tightly bound around the ends of the case as is possible and then nailed in place by flat-headed nails 22. The ends of the case are usually recessed the width of the straps 20, and to a depth slightly greater than the thickness of 'the straps, so that the straps 23 and the heads of the nails 22 do not project above the adjacent surfaces of the case, as is indicated in Fig. 8.

The spacing between the die bars l8, and

consequently the ridges I9, is substantially equal to the spacing between the nails 22 securing the strap 20 to the case 2|, but the bars l8 are displaced one-half the distance between the nails 22 so that their ridges ,|9 lie approximately midway between the nails 22, the box 2| being so positioned with respect to the die that the ridges l9 lie in the position described, that is, midway between the nails 22.

Guides 23 and 24, shown particularly in Fig. 3, are mounted on the frame l so that the cases 2| are properly positioned with respect to the ridges IQ of the die in the manner described.

Guide 24 is preferably in the form of a shoe pivoted at one end 25 on the bracket 25 secured to frame 0, with its inner end 21 urged inwardly by a spring 23 on a stud 29 secured to frame I0, The normal position of shoe 24 is such that the spacing between the guide '23 and shoe 24 is less than the depth of the case inserted between them so that the latter is held in proper position with respect to the ridges IQ of the die |5.

---As shown particularly in Figs. 1, 5 and 6, the

two dies are formed. The stop plates 30 form abutments against which the ends of two cases lodge and cooperate with the corresponding parts of lower die I 5, whereby two cases can be treated simultaneously in the manner to be described.

Positioned below the guide 23 and guide shoe 24 with its inner end adjacent the die, is a horizontal platform 3| upon which a case 2| is As shown particularly in Figs. 1 and 2, the opposite ends of the platform 3| are turned downwardly and the inner end thereof is normally positioned flush with or slightly above the upper edges of the die ridges l9, so that a case 2| may be slid over the platform and over the die |5 against the stop plates 3|] without catching on the die ridges l8. The inner end of the platform 3| is normally urged in this position by two spaced coil springs 32 each surrounding a rod 33 having a head 34 at its upper end screwed to the platform 3|.

The rod 33 is slidable at its lower end through the lower flange 35 of a bracket 36 secured to the frame I0. The head 34 of the rod 33 is enclosed in a sleeve 3'! which likewise is slidable through The spring 32 abuts at its lower end the flange 35 and at its upper end the head 34, so as to urge the platform 3| upwardly to thelimit permitted by the stop nuts 39 on the rod 33, this limit being such that the inner end of the platform 3| is flush with the ridges I9 or slightly thereabove, as shown in Fig. 2. l

The opposite side of the apparatus is provided with a similar platform 3| and identical appurtenant parts for supporting a second case 2| in the manner shown in Fig. 2. Likewise the other side of the machine is fitted with a similar guide 23 and guide shoe 24', corresponding to guide 23 and shoe 24.

J ournalled in bearings 40 secured on the upper end of the frame I0 is a shaft 4| driven by any suitable power means, such as an electric motor, for example. The center of the shaft 4| between the bearings 40 is provided with an eccentric 42 carrying the two-part eccentric strap 43, one part of which is formed on the upper end of a connecting rod. The lower end of connecting rod 44 is provided with a hub 45 journalled on the stub shaft 46, from which is suspended the upper die frame 41. As shown particularly in Fig. 2, this upper die frame is of box structure formed of an I-beam 48'and side plates 49 and is guided for vertical sliding movement between the spaced angle irons constituting opposite sides of the frame of the machine. Accordingly, asshaft 4| rotates the eccentric 42 causes the die frame 41 to reciprocate in a vertical direction.

Suitably secured to the lower surface of the I-beam 43 of theupper die frame 41 is the upper die 50, which is in all respects identical to the lower die I5, except that it is not divided, its length being such as to extend across the width of two straps 20 when there are two-corresponding cases 2| simultaneously positioned in the machine against the stop plates 30 as shown in Fig. 2. The ridges IQ of the upper die 53 are aligned with the corresponding ridges IQ of the lower die IS. The throw of the. crank 42 is such that the ridges l9 and I9 of respective dies I5 and 50 are brought together the proper distance so as to apply the crimps 5| to the straps 20 on opposite sides of the case 2| of the proper depth, i. e. when the flat surfaces between the die ridges I9 and I9 of the spacers abut flatwise with the corresponding surfaces of the strap 20. Also, the throw of the eccentric 42 is such that the upper die 50 is drawn upwardlya sufficient distance greater than the height of the case 2| to permit free insertion of the case2| into the apparatus without stopping the machine for that purpose, the upper position of the die being indicated in Figs. 1 and 2.

In operation of the apparatus of this invention according-to theaforementioned method, a case 20 is placed on' one of the platforms 3| or 3| and pushed inwardly between the vertical guide 23 and shoe 24 against the stop plate 30, the platform 3| being raised by its springs 32 flush with or above the upper edges of ridges I9 of the lower die l5, the platform 3|, the stop 30, the guide 23 and the shoe 24 cooperating to position the metal strap 20 over the die l5. It will be understood that the guide 23, in cooperation with the shoe 24, properly positions the case in a sidewise direction over the ridges H! of the lower die l5 so that they lie approximately midway between the nails 22 securing the strap 20 to the case. This insertion of a case 20 is of course made while the upper die deformation of the wood beneaththe correspond-- 58 is raised by its eccentric 42 in the manner shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

As the shaft 4! continues to rotate, its eccentric 42 lowers upper die 50 so that its ridges l9 engage the upper strap 26 but do not as yet materially crimp it, for the case is not rigidly supported vertically because of the floating condition of the inner end of the platform 3l,due to the resiliency of the springs 32. Accordingly, the upper die 50 continues to force the case downwardly until the springs 32 are compressed and the platform 3| is lowered sufficiently for the ridges IQ of the lower die IE to engage and crimp the lower portion of the strap 20 of the case 2|, whereupon the ridges E8 of the upper die 50 crimp the upper portion of the strap 2t until the upper die 59 has reached the lower limit of its movement as provided by the eccentric 32. The flat portion of the lower die l5, formed by the spacers ll, together with the side plates i'l,

form the lower stop for the case.

The straps 29 at opposite sides of the case ii are accordingly simultaneously crimped at spaced intervals in the manner shown in Figs. '7 and 8 to the depth of the ridges l9 and I9. During this operation, the strap is drawn incidentally more tightly by reason ofv its decreased effective length and the wood beneath which crimp 5! is depressed in the manner shown particularly in Fig. 8. Thus, as the case expands, the straps 28 may expand in length, the crimps 5! drawing out of the corresponding grooves in the wood, and whenthe case subsequently contracts, the crimps 5|, by reason of the resiliency of the straps 2i) creep into the grooves in the wood, so that the Y straps remain tight under all conditions, and no loosening of the nails 22 results because of pulling by the straps or catching of a loose strap on an object during the handling of the case. Also, the flatwise engagement of the spacers ll of the dies I5 and 56 with the corresponding surfaces of the straps 2B acts to drive in any loosened or projecting nails 22.

As indicated in Fig. 2, two cases 2! may be treated simultaneously, whereupon they are reversed and the other ends thereof inserted in the apparatus for crimping of the straps in the same way.

While a preferred embodiment of the apparatus for practicing the method is illustrated and described herein, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereby, but is susceptible of changes in form and detail within the scope of the appended claims.

It is further to-be understood that the term strap as employed herein and in the appended claims comprehends within its scope all permanently deformable strips capable of being crimped in situ, whether of flat, round, or other cross section, used for encircling or otherwise wholly or partially binding, shipping or packing cases, boxes, casks, or other containers formed of wood, metal, or other material deformable at the crimp of the binding strips in the manner herein described.

We claim:

1. The method of treating in situ the binding strap previously secured by spaced fastening means to a wooden packing or shipping container, which comprises deforming the strap at of the strap being accompanied by simultaneous l ing strap deformations, whereby the strap is rention of a support for the container, 9. deforming member for engaging the strap at one point, a second deforming member for engaging said strap on the opposite side of the container, and means for relatively moving: said members toward each other for deforming the strap transversely of its length on opposite sides of the container. 7

3. In apparatus for crimping the binding strap previously secured to a container, the combina tion of asu'pport for the container, and a deforming member for engaging the strap at one point, a second deforming member for engaging said strap onthe opposite sideof the container, means for positioning the container on the support to align the strap with the members, and

means for relatively moving said members toward each other for deforming the strap transversely of itslength on opposite sides of the container.

4. In apparatus for crimping the binding strap previously secured to a container, the combination of a support for the container, a deforming member adjacent said support for engaging the strap on the side of the container resting on the support, and means for engaging the opposite side of-the container for forcing the said strap on the member to deform the strap.

5. In apparatus for crimping the binding strap previously secured to a container, the combination of a support for the container, a deforming member adjacent said support for engaging the strap on one side of the container, a second deforming member for engaging the strap on the opposite side of the container, and means for relatively moving said members toward each other for deforming the strap transversely of its length on opposite sides of the container.

6. In apparatus for crimping the binding strap of a container, the combination of a support for the container, having a deforming member associated therewith for engaging the strap on the side of the container resting on the support, a movable second deforming member aligned with said first member for engaging the strap on the I opposite side of the container, and means for moving said second member into engagement with the corresponding strap to crimp the same and force the lower strap onto said first member to substantially simultaneously crimp the corresponding strap.

'7. In apparatus for crimping the binding strap of a container, the combination of a support for the container, a deforming member having a plurality of spaced die ridges for engaging the strap at a plurality of spaced points on one side of the container, a second deforming member having a plurality of spaced die ridges for engaging the strap at a plurality of spaced points on the opposite side of the container, and means for, relatively moving said members toward each other for substantially simultaneously deforming the straps on opposite sides of said container at a plurality of spaced points transversely of the length of the strap.

8. In apparatus for crimping the binding strap of a container, the combination of a support for the container, a deforming member having at least one ridge for engaging the strap on the side of the containerresting on the support, resilient means normally holding said support in a position not lower than the upper level of the ridge, whereby the container can be supported on the support with the container strap overlyingthe ridge, and means for moving said container and support against the tension of said resilient means to engage the strap with the ridge for crimping the strap transversely of its length.

9. In apparatus for crimping a container binding strap at points intermediate the means securing the strap to the container, the combination of a fixed die member having a plurality of transverse ridges spaced apart substantially the distance between the strap fastening means, guide means for holding the container with its strap in alignment with said die member and with the ridges thereof positioned intermediate the adjacent fastening means by the strap, a movable second die having a plurality of transverse ridges substantially aligned with the ridges of the first die member for engaging the strap on the opposite side of the container, and means for moving said second die member toward said first die member to cause the ridges of the corresponding die members to substantially simultaneously crimp the corresponding parts of the strap transversely of its length at points between fastening means therefor.

10. The method of treating the binding strap previously secured to a shipping or packing container, which comprises deforming the strap transversely by means of a deforming element, and deforming the strap transversely at another point longitudinally thereof with a second deforming element while the strap remains engaged by the first deforming element, whereby the strap is rendered longitudinally elastic in at least one direction.

11. In apparatus for crimping the binding strap previously secured to a container, the combination of a support for the container, a deforming member for engaging the strap at one point, a second member for engaging said strap at another point spaced from said first point, and means for relatively moving said members into engagement with said strap for deforming the strap transversely of its length at said spaced points.

CHARLES SCHMUTZER. KURT MANRODT. 

